Abstract: A powered ratchet includes a motor, a mounting portion, and an output member configured to rotate in response to activation of the motor. The output member defines a drive axis. The powered ratchet also includes a release mechanism configured to selectively couple an anvil to the output member. The release mechanism includes a cover coupled to the mounting portion with a track and a locking member positioned between the mounting portion and the cover and operable to slide within the track between a locked position, in which the locking member engages the anvil to secure the anvil to the output member for co-rotation therewith, and a release position, in which the locking member is disengaged from the anvil to facilitate removal of the anvil. The release mechanism also includes a biasing member biasing the locking member to the locked position.

Abstract: An anti-backflow plumbing fitting (10) includes an annular body (12) which bounds an interior area (20). The body includes a body outlet (28) and a plurality of cup portions (40) each of which includes an inlet opening (46). An annular body side wall (22) includes at least one radially extending side wall air gap (36). Each cup portion further includes a pair of angularly disposed cup air gaps (54). An inlet end wall (30) includes a plurality of body flow inlets (52) which are each associated with a respective cup portion. Each body flow inlet underlies a respective cup portion and is elongated in aligned relation with each cup air gap, to enable liquid to flow from the respective inlet opening of a cup portion into the interior area. The inlet end wall is sloped and includes a plurality of drain holes (66, 68) therein. A plurality of vanes (60) extend in the interior area intermediate of immediately adjacent body flow inlets.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a manifold heat exchange fitting (32) configured to collect a plurality of fluid streams of fluids having different fluid densities. The fitting includes a body (52) with a generally open fluid collection interior area (56). The body of the heat exchange fitting is positioned in a central fluid path that includes a body inlet (58) and a body outlet (60). A plurality of fluid stream fitting openings (76) in the body are connectable to fluid streams of fluids having different densities delivered from water discharge devices such as an autoclave, a steam sterilizer in the steam cooler. The fluid streams of the fluids having different densities collected in fluid communication in the fluid collection interior area may undergo heat exchange prior to discharge from the body outlet.

Abstract: A water drain management apparatus used in clinical facility (43) or other facility includes a manifold plumbing fitting (32, 272, 384). The fitting includes a plurality of drain outlet connections for water discharge devices (40, 42, 222, 226, 230, 234). Such water discharge devices may include devices such as autoclaves, sterilizers, cleaners, washers, filters, humidifiers, condensing devices and other devices used in the facility. A plurality of drain fitting openings in the body of the fitting are connectable to respective water discharge devices, and openings that are not utilized are closable with plugs. Some manifold fittings (272, 344, 384, 482) include an air gap opening (288, 360, 392, 530). These configurations provide an air gap that prevents contamination due to back flow of water within the fitting reaching water discharge devices or the body inlet of the manifold fitting.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a manifold heat exchange fitting (32) configured to collect a plurality of fluid streams of fluids having different fluid densities. The fitting includes a body (52) with a generally open fluid collection interior area (56). The body of the heat exchange fitting is positioned in a central fluid path that includes a body inlet (58) and a body outlet (60). A plurality of fluid stream fitting openings (76) in the body are connectable to fluid streams of fluids having different densities delivered from water discharge devices such as an autoclave, a steam sterilizer in the steam cooler. The fluid streams of the fluids having different densities collected in fluid communication in the fluid collection interior area may undergo heat exchange prior to discharge from the body outlet.

Abstract: A dental instrument water supply filter includes a hollow cylindrical body which bounds an interior area. The interior area houses a plurality of iodinated resin particles. A pair of water permeable discs are positioned in the interior area of the body at opposed axial ends. End caps close the interior area of the body at the respective opposed ends, and each end cap includes a respective removable fluid fitting. Water that is used in connection with the operation of a dental instrument is passed through the filter. The filter provides filtration and reduces microorganisms in the water that is passed therethrough and also releases ions into the water that are effective to reduce the growth of contaminants in the water lines to the instrument.

Abstract: An anti-backflow plumbing fitting (10) includes an annular body (12) which bounds an interior area (20). The body includes a body outlet (28) and a plurality of cup portions (40) each of which includes an inlet opening (46). An annular body side wall (22) includes at least one radially extending side wall air gap (36). Each cup portion further includes a pair of angularly disposed cup air gaps (54). An inlet end wall (30) includes a plurality of body flow inlets (52) which are each associated with a respective cup portion. Each body flow inlet underlies a respective cup portion and is elongated in aligned relation with each cup air gap, to enable liquid to flow from the respective inlet opening of a cup portion into the interior area. The inlet end wall is sloped and includes a plurality of drain holes (66, 68) therein. A plurality of vanes (60) extend in the interior area intermediate of immediately adjacent body flow inlets.

Abstract: A dental instrument water supply filter includes a hollow cylindrical body which bounds an interior area. The interior area houses a plurality of iodinated resin particles. A pair of water permeable discs are positioned in the interior area of the body at opposed axial ends. End caps close the interior area of the body at the respective opposed ends, and each end cap includes a respective removable fluid fitting. Water that is used in connection with the operation of a dental instrument is passed through the filter. The filter provides filtration and reduces microorganisms in the water that is passed therethrough and also releases ions into the water that are effective reduce the growth of contaminants in the water lines to the instrument.

Abstract: A water drain management apparatus used in clinical facility (43) or other facility includes a manifold plumbing fitting (32, 272, 384). The fitting includes a plurality of drain outlet connections for water discharge devices (40, 42, 222, 226, 230, 234). Such water discharge devices may include devices such as autoclaves, sterilizers, cleaners, washers, filters, humidifiers, condensing devices and other devices used in the facility. A plurality of drain fitting openings in the body of the fitting are connectable to respective water discharge devices, and openings that are not utilized are closable with plugs. Some manifold fittings (272, 344, 384, 482) include an air gap opening (288, 360, 392, 530). These configurations provide an air gap that prevents contamination due to back flow of water within the fitting reaching water discharge devices or the body inlet of the manifold fitting.

Abstract: A water drain management apparatus used in clinical facility (43) or other facility includes a manifold plumbing fitting (32, 272, 384). The fitting includes a plurality of drain outlet connections for water discharge devices (40, 42, 222, 226, 230, 234). Such water discharge devices may include devices such as autoclaves, sterilizers, cleaners, washers, filters, humidifiers, condensing devices and other devices used in the facility. A plurality of drain fitting openings in the body of the fitting are connectable to respective water discharge devices, and openings that are not utilized are closable with plugs. Some manifold fittings (272, 344, 384, 482) include an air gap opening (288, 360, 392, 530). These configurations provide an air gap that prevents contamination due to back flow of water within the fitting reaching water discharge devices or the body inlet of the manifold fitting.

Abstract: A system for condensing steam from an autoclave sterilizer includes a cooling tank and a condensing coil extending into the cooling tank. Cooling water from a source of water flows into the tank to cool the condensing coil when the temperature of the coolant in the cooling tank exceeds a predetermined value. A waste water drain is in fluid communication with the cooling tank. An air gap is located between the tank and the source of cooling water. The air gap includes an opening to atmospheric air and is configured to avoid back flow from a waste water drain toward the water source. A check valve may be used with or in lieu of an air gap to prevent back flow toward the water source.

Abstract: A water supply assembly is provided that includes a support cap, an inlet port and a valve assembly. The valve assembly includes a valve, an outlet port and a float. The support cap has a shape that is configured to cover a reservoir opening into a reservoir of an autoclave, which reservoir opening has a maximum inner diameter that is between 1.5 and 3.0 inches. The float has a shape that is operative to pass through the reservoir opening and into the reservoir when the support cap is placed on the autoclave and is supported by the autoclave in a position to cover the reservoir opening of the autoclave. When the support cap is placed over the reservoir opening, with the float positioned in the reservoir, the inlet port extends outside the reservoir. The float is operative to move from a first position to a second position responsive to a decrease in a water level in the reservoir which causes the valve to open and enable water provided to the inlet port to pass out of the outlet port and into the reservoir.